Game Notes
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Carson-Newman will be in for one of its toughest tasks of the season when they host the No. 11 Lenoir-Rhyne Bears on Wednesday night at McCown Field.
The Bears (8-0, 3-0 South Atlantic Conference) sport a flawless record due to their 30 goals scored on the season against three goals conceded, both of which lead the SAC in their respective categories. Currently, they rank third in all of NCAA Division II soccer in goals and seventh in team points with 76.
"They've done really, really well," coach Simon Duffy said. "They look very focused as a group and obviously they're playing very well right now with a lot of confidence. That in itself is going to be tough to go up against.
"They're scoring goals and they're not conceding so it's going to be a tough opponent but I'm glad we're playing them here at home and it'll be a bit extra special as we play under the lights."
A 7:30 p.m. start time is the latest that the Eagles (5-2, 3-0 South Atlantic Conference) have had at home this season. Coupled with the fact that this game could decide control of the top of the table in the SAC, coach Duffy agreed that Wednesday's contest is one of the most important games that the team has competed in so far this season.
The Bears have not lost a match since Nov. 2, 2018 against Lincoln Memorial in the semifinals of the SAC tournament. From their 2018 team, LR had five players that earned postseason All-SAC First or Second Team honors.
Of the group of five only senior midfielder Aqsa Mushtaq and senior defense Christina Shimrock return. Mushtaq currently is tied for the team lead in goals (6) and leads the team in points (13). The Bradford, England product has registered 41 shots which ranks third in the SAC.
Being able to limit one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the nation will be a tall task for Duffy's squad to complete, however, the Eagles sport three-consecutive clean sheets dating back to Sept. 21 against Newberry. It is the first time since Oct. 14 through Oct. 31, 2017, that the team has gone three or more straight contests without allowing a goal. Senior goalie Jasmine Rizk (Andersonville, Tenn.) was awarded the SAC Defensive Player of the Week for the week ending Oct. 1. It is Carson-Newman's first women's player of the week honor this season and Rizk's first POTW honor in her career.
With the defensive third playing at an excellent level, being able to transition quickly and facilitate the ball from the backs to the attacking third will be crucial according to Duffy.
"We're looking at the game we played against Belmont Abbey and it's going to be more of the same," Duffy said. "Limit them. We know they're dangerous players and what they can do, so we just need to be on our game and win those individual battles."
As the season has progressed, team camaraderie has begun to take root inside the Eagles' locker room. In good form, the Eagles have won four-straight games and have out shot their past three opponents.
A road trip to Anderson on Saturday featured team singalongs throughout the 290-mile roundtrip from Mossy Creek to Greenville, S.C., including solo performances for each of the eight freshmen ladies on the roster.
"I think every day and every week as we're together more and spending more time together they're getting more familiar and building that team chemistry," Duffy said. "To have these (next) two games at home is going to be massive because they are two of our better teams in our league. We need to make sure we take full advantage of that."
Using the friendly confines of McCown Field to take down another ranked opponent will have to feature excellent play in the midfield. Coach Duffy called the middle of the pitch a "crown jewel" in decided the contest.
"I think that's where the game is going to be won or lost," Duffy said. "Hopefully we can win balls in the air from goal kicks and so on and make our tackles. Continue to keep the ball, possess the ball, and put some pressure on them."
Kickoff from Mossy Creek is scheduled tentatively for 7:30 p.m. The men's soccer team will also host LR, with kickoff slated for 5 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on the Eagles Sports Network.
